People are already finding ways around OpenAI's ban on romantic companion bots in its GPT Store, so families and businesses should expect them to keep appearing.
Days after OpenAI opened its GPT Store, people were already getting around its ban on romantic "girlfriend" bots. Searching "girlfriend" still brought up options, Quartz reported, and Mashable got the same result.
The GPT Store lets users browse custom versions of ChatGPT made by other people. OpenAI updated its usage policies the day the store launched. They say it does not "allow GPTs dedicated to fostering romantic companionship or performing regulated activities." The policy does not explain what regulated activities means. Profanity in a name and graphic violence are also banned.
Some girlfriend bots Quartz saw on Thursday could no longer be found. Creators seem to have adapted. By publication, "sweetheart" turned up more relevant results than "girlfriend." Searches for "sex," "escort," "companion" and "honey" gave less relevant results, and curse words found little. That suggests OpenAI is enforcing at least some of its rules.
Demand is real. Porn performers are cloning themselves as virtual girlfriends, and Bloom, a company focused on audio erotica, offers erotic roleplay chatbots. If the store keeps these bots out, users will likely look elsewhere.
The reports do not say how many of these bots exist, whether OpenAI or the creators pulled the ones that vanished, or how OpenAI plans to enforce the rule over time.
Store rules against companion bots do not fully keep them out, so check what an AI app offers before you or your kids use it.
Code in an iOS 27.3 beta suggests Apple's HomeView smart display could run AI chatbots such as ChatGPT next to Siri. Nothing is confirmed.
Read more: Apple's smart home screen may soon let you talk to ChatGPTA How-To Geek writer has Claude read his Todoist list each weekday morning and brief him, with read-only access and no changes unless he says yes.
Read more: He set up Claude to read his to-do list and brief him every morningBloomberg reports Apple's CEO is pushing the head of its software team to take bolder steps on AI, which could shape features on your iPhone and Mac.
Read more: Apple's CEO pushes its software chief toward bolder AI plans
